A charity that provides transport for seniors and the disabled is looking for a new driver.

Project Action has launched a recruitment drive after long-serving Ernest “Shuby” DeGrilla retired for health reasons and as it started its end-of-year fundraising drive.

Cindy Swan, a cofounder of the bus service, said Mr DeGrilla’s departure was a “sad day”.

She added: “Shuby, as he’s affectionately called, went above and beyond the call of duty to transport seniors.

“We send our appreciation to Shuby and his family for lending us him, and pray for God’s blessings for him.”

She added: “We are at present interviewing for the very large shoes that will have to be filled.”

Project Action needs about $110,000 each year to keep its service running, and has appealed to the public for sponsorship.

Ms Swan said the charity hoped to have a full-time driver for door-to-door service early in the new year.

She added: “We will still be offering rides for rest homes in the evenings to see the Christmas tree lights — we have volunteer drives to keep that service going.”

Day trips include taking seniors to medical appointments.

Patients on dialysis who have no other way to get around require round trips to the hospital three times a week.

Ms Swan said: “In an ageing community like Bermuda, the onus is on the community to meet the needs of this fast-growing segment.

“We’d like to thank Rubis, which has provided free diesel for the past 20 years. We could not have continued without them.”

She also thanked Dawn Simmons, Project Action’s new board member.

Ms Swan added: “We are in the process of seeking a new driver and ask anyone interested to call us.”

• Cindy Swan can be contacted at 535-9801. Rose Douglas, Project Action’s administrator, is at 297-5044 or bermudaprojectaction@gmail.com. Donations can be made to Butterfield Bank account #2000606028225100